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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by platinumbride on October 24, 2004, at 8:31:16
Hi everyone,
I guess it is safe to say that lithium has been quite good to me. I guess it lifted enough of the dpression fog to enable me to give enough of a *^%&* about exercising and changing my eating habits, and when you do that, you feel better and b;lah blah blah....
I still deal with nasty anxiety for which the lithium seems to do nothing, but I can live with that as long as no one touches my neurontin!
Here's the thing: Lithium was making my tummy very unhappy, and keeping me near the toilet at all times. I figured I could learn to live with that.I also have polycystic ovarian syndrome, and my gyn. wanted to put me on glucophage to deal with some of the issues from that, but he did NOT want to give me this med, which can wreak havoc on your tummy also, without asking me to first get the "runs" under control. For this, he simply suggested metamucil (psyllium).
Yeah! It worked.
Now I keep reading that psyllium can reduce lithium levels.
My p-doc never mentioned that this could be an issue when I told him about the metamucil, so I wonder just how much of an issue this is. Anyone have any insight?
Also, for the ladie's who are reading, I am now FINALLY getting my period again. I was so thrilled until the cramping started. I'm DYING to take some ibuprofen, as that is the only thing that has ever really worked for me, but I keep reading that it is a questionable thing to do.
What are women on lithium doing for cramps?FWIW: I am on 600 mgs of lithium/day and my level at either 600 or 900 mgs of the drug is .6.
Thanks,
Diane
Posted by Larry Hoover on October 24, 2004, at 11:23:45
In reply to lithium, psyllium and ibuprofen, posted by platinumbride on October 24, 2004, at 8:31:16
> Now I keep reading that psyllium can reduce lithium levels.
>
> My p-doc never mentioned that this could be an issue when I told him about the metamucil, so I wonder just how much of an issue this is. Anyone have any insight?Psyllium fiber is a soluble fiber. What that means is it draws water to it, and weakly binds it there. It's like a giant sponge, holding something like 150 times its own mass in water. Anything that dissolves in water will also get drawn to the sponge. Lithium ions are water soluble, so you will perhaps reduce lithium uptake if you take the lithium around the time you take the psyllium. One half hour before the psyllium, or three hours after, should be a safe separation.
You should still continue to get blood levels of lithium done, as diarrhea itself is a disturbance in electrolytes. When you feel phsyically stable, your levels will become a more precise reflection of your biochemistry.
> Also, for the ladie's who are reading, I am now FINALLY getting my period again. I was so thrilled until the cramping started. I'm DYING to take some ibuprofen, as that is the only thing that has ever really worked for me, but I keep reading that it is a questionable thing to do.
The interaction between lithium and ibuprofen is very idiosyncratic. What that means is that for some people it's a big deal, but not for others.
Really, the interaction applies to all prostaglandin synthesis inhibitors, the NSAIDs as a class.
If you wish to try any of this class for relief of your cramps, it's not contra-indicated. It requires that you monitor the effects. If signs of lithium toxicity seem to appear, then it may not be a good idea for you.
> What are women on lithium doing for cramps?
>
> FWIW: I am on 600 mgs of lithium/day and my level at either 600 or 900 mgs of the drug is .6.
>
> Thanks,
>
> DianeGood luck with this new therapy. It sounds like it's working.
Lar
Posted by prodgirl on October 26, 2004, at 1:31:06
In reply to lithium, psyllium and ibuprofen, posted by platinumbride on October 24, 2004, at 8:31:16
> Here's the thing: Lithium was making my tummy very unhappy, and keeping me near the toilet at all times. I figured I could learn to live with that.I just started at 900mg about 2 weeks ago. The first week, no side effects. As soon as I hit one week, I started having dizzy spells, getting headaches, the tummy aches are almost too much. I have always had GI problems, but the cramps are horrible!
Have you just had problems that "fiber" will fix or are you having horrible pains, too?
> Also, for the ladie's who are reading, I am now FINALLY getting my period again. I was so thrilled until the cramping started. I'm DYING to take some ibuprofen, as that is the only thing that has ever really worked for me, but I keep reading that it is a questionable thing to do.
> What are women on lithium doing for cramps?Everything that I have read says that there is no interaction between lithium and acetaminophen. I have been taking Tylenol for the headaches I have been getting at about 18 hrs after my doseage. As long as you stay away from anti-imflammitories and aspirin, I think. I don't think you can take Midol because it has a diuretic, which can up your Li levels.
Why does it have to be so hard?
Posted by platinumbride on October 26, 2004, at 7:27:46
In reply to Re: lithium, psyllium and ibuprofen, posted by prodgirl on October 26, 2004, at 1:31:06
Have you just had problems that "fiber" will fix or are you having horrible pains, too?
I was surprised that fiber could fix diarhea and cramping, but it did. Another good thing I found was just a few ounces of plain yoghurt.
As for the monthlies, tylenol has never done anything for that pain! I'll just have my blood levels checked after I finish with the cramps and bleeding. My cramps are extremely severe and I have always needed like 800 mgs every 4 hours for the first 2 days.
Good luck with your GI distress. I hope lithium is helpful to you.
Diane
Posted by platinumbride on October 26, 2004, at 7:29:12
In reply to Re: lithium, psyllium and ibuprofen » platinumbride, posted by Larry Hoover on October 24, 2004, at 11:23:45
This is the end of the thread.
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